Student Protests Expose Rift: BJP Allies Shiv Sena, NCP Stay Neutral Amid Crackdown

Last week, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faced intense backlash from student protests over alleged exam paper leaks and a subsequent police crackdown on July 20. However, its alliance partners in Maharashtra—Shiv Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)—remained on the sidelines, avoiding direct involvement in the controversy.

The allies, wary of attracting the same public anger directed at the BJP, disapproved of the central government's handling of the protests and the lack of consultation with them. Both parties distanced themselves by stating that the top leadership would resolve the matter while emphasising that students have a legitimate democratic right to protest and that any alleged police excesses were unacceptable.

Protests were not limited to Delhi. In Mumbai, a police officer was filmed allegedly threatening a student with a false drug case; the officer was subsequently suspended. The demonstrations, organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and supported by opposition parties, spread to cities including Mumbai, Nagpur, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Pune, and Nashik.

Shiv Sena minister Sanjay Shirsat condemned the police action, stating, “In a democracy, students protesting is not illegal. But police lathicharge on peaceful protesters is condemnable.” NCP minister Chhagan Bhujbal echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging the students' right to express themselves while urging restraint from authorities. “It was for the PM and the Home Minister to resolve the issue,” he said.

The allies were also reportedly irked by the BJP's failure to consult them during the crisis, with internal criticism of the party's dominant attitude. Meanwhile, a BJP insider expressed confidence that the issue would not have long-term consequences, citing planned legislation against paper leaks to address systemic flaws.

The episode has highlighted communication gaps within the ruling alliance. A BJP leader admitted, “If there is one big lesson we have to take from student protests, it is the importance of communication. We have to mend our ways by allowing greater communication and consultation.”